Cleaning apparatus for paint applicator rollers and the like



Jan. 24, 1961 J. F. BEECH 2,968,824

CLEANING APPARATUS FOR PAINT APPLICATOR ROLLERS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 3, 1956 3,Sheets-Sheet 1 ooooooooo oo pao I hi oooooooooib x I? y E lf 1 J I r I an 3 00000000000;

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ATTORNEY Jan. 24, 1961 J. F. BEECH 2,963,824

CLEANING APPARATUS FOR PAINT APPLICATOR ROLLERS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. :5, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY (k QKPM ATTORNEY J. F. BEECH Jan. 24, 1961 CLEANING APPARATUS FOR PAINT APPLICATOR ROLLERS AND THE- LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 3, 1956 INVENTOP.

James I'fieec];

BY (L 0.9%

United States Patent 9 CLEANING APPARATUS FOR PAINT APPLICATOR ROLLERS AND THE LIKE James F. Beech, 382 N. Washington Ave., Battle Creek, Mich.

Filed Dec. 3, 1956, Ser. No. 625,988

14 Claims. (Cl. 15-4) The present invention relates broadly to cleaning equipment, and more specifically to a special device for use in cleaning paint applicator rollers.

In connection with painting interior surfaces of buildings, and even outside surfaces of same, it is becoming rather common practice to use a paint applicator of the type having a fabric faced applicator roller and an operating handle therefor. Considerable difiiculty, however, is experienced in cleaning such applicator roller after each use of the apparatus, and especially when changing colors. Also each cleaning operation consumes considerable time which could well be spent to better advantage, particularly by the professional painter. To that end I developed a very successful cleaning apparatus which is set forth in my co-pending patent application Ser. No. 471,590, filed Nov. 29, 1954, and which is about to issue as Patent No. 2,773,274. The present invention is an improvement over that invention in that it not only facilitates better cleaning of the applicator roller, but also restores the fabric surface more nearly to its condition when new.

The noted prior application discloses a supporting frame for engagement with a bucket or the like to contain a paint solvent, a vertical foraminous cleaning roller mounted on said frame for immersion in the solvent, and means on said frame for engagement with the frame of a roller type paint applicator to enable the operator to press the applicator roller into peripheral contact with the cleaning roller while both are immersed in the solvent. Thus, rotation of the cleaning roller also rotates the applicator roller, with the result that the yieldable fibrous periphery of the latter is given the equivalent of a kneading action in the cleaning solvent. Not only is surface paint thus cleaned from the applicator roller but the most of the paint with which it has become saturated is loosened and washed out.

While the prior construction above mentioned has proven to be very effective, in fact more effective for this purpose than any other device available on the market, it does not leave the surface of the fibrous applicator roller as fluffy as desired and in fact leaves it in a somewhat compressed state. It was a recognition of this problem and the lack of any simple and eflFective solution of same on the market, which led to the conception and development of the present invention. The present invention has, accordingly, been aimed at the overcoming of this problem and has effectively attained the desired end in a simple manner.

One object of the invention has been to provide a fluffing member parallel with the cleaning roller and so related therewith that the applicator roller may be moved into contact with said fiufiing member while it is being driven by contact with the cleaning roller, permitting the cleaning operation to be first performed by pressure of said applicator roller against a rotating cleaning roller and then permitting further squeezing as well as fluffing of the so cleaned applicator roller by lightly pressing it against the aforesaid fluffing member while it is still being driven by said cleaning roller.

2,968,824 Patented Jan. 24, 1961 ice Another object has been to yieldably mount the flufiing member to limit the pressure with which it may engage the applicator roller, to attain the best results.

A further object has been to provide the tlutfing member in the form of a blade extending longitudinally full length of the applicator roller.

A still further object has been to provide novel construction ofr mounting the fiufling blade on the supporting frame for the cleaning roller.

Another object has been to provide a simplified sup porting frame for the device.

Yet another object has been to provide a novel construction which can be expeditiously manufactured and profitably sold at a reasonable price.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoingand related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but several of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In the annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away and in section, showing one form of the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view, partly broken away and in section, showing the applicator roller of a conventional roller type paint applicator in contact with the cleaning roller of the present device which is shown connected with a can of the type commonly used for paint.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the applicator roller in contact with both the cleaning roller and the fiufiing blade.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on line 4-4 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a top plan view, partly broken away and in section, showing a second form of construction.

Figure 6 is a similar view showing a third form of construction.

The supporting frame is generally designated at 10, the foraminous cleaning roller at 11, said roller having perforated ends for free fluid flow therethrough, and the flufiing blade at 12.

A paint applicator roller is shown at 13 mounted on the usual frame 14, said frame having a portion 15, behind and parallel with the roller 13, and being provided with a handle 16.

The frame 10, Figure l, is shown as formed from strap metal. One length of this metal is bent into arched form to provide an arched vertically elongated spring clamp 17 to straddle the wall of a bucket, can, or other receptacle 18 to contain the paint solvent. The crown portion 19 of the arched clamp 17 is substantially horizontal; the outer leg 29 is substantially straight and vertical; and

the inner leg 21 has an obtuse-angular outward offset 22.-

The lower end of this inner leg has an integral substantially horizontal extension 23 projecting inwardly from the bottom of leg 21 of the clamp 17 and apertured to provide a lower bearing for the cleaning roller shaft 24.

The'crown portion 19 of the clamp 17 spaces the legs 2% and 21 sufficiently to allow them to straddle the usual channeled rim 18a, Figure 2, of the solvent holding bucket side wall and as said clamp is being forced down to operative position, the offset 22 cams past the rim 18a and then engages the inner side of the bucket wall while the outer leg 20 abuts the outer side of said wall.

A flat horizontal plate 25 is welded or otherwise secured upon the crown portion 19 and projects inwardly an upper bearing for the cleaning roller shaft 24.

An arcuate horizontal arm 26, Figures 1 and 2, is welded, brazed, or otherwise secured to the outer side of the outer leg 20 of clamp 17 to extend partially around the upper end of the bucket wall. This arm is provided near its free end with an inwardly projecting lug 27 to rest on the bucket rim 18a. At said free end, the arm 26 has two longitudinal vertically spaced slits 28. The metal between these slits is bent laterally outward topro vide a lug 29. The metal above the upper slit and below the lower slit is bent laterally outward to form additional lugs 30 which are parallel with the lug 29 and sufficiently spaced therefrom to allow reception ofthe applicator frame portion 15 between said lug 29 and said lugs 30. Thus, the operator may immerse the applicator roller 13 in the paint solvent'and hold it (by means of the handle 16) with desired constant or fluctuating pressure against the cleaning roller 11.while the latter is being rotated as shown in Figure 2, thereby causing thorough cleaning of the fibrous periphery cover portion of'said applicator roller 13.

A hand crank 31 has been shown on the cleaning roller shaft 24 but said shaft could be easily driven by power, for example, by the motor (not shown) of an electric drill set or the like, and it is intended that the showing be considered to diagrammatically illustrate same.

After cleaning of the applicator roller 13 and while it is still being driven by the roller 11, the operator moves the applicator handle 16 to bring said roller 13 also into contact with the flufiing blade 12 as seen in Figure 3, resulting in further squeezing as well as restoring the fibrous periphery of said applicator roller 13 to a more flulfy condition for futher use. This applicator roller may be either continuously or intermittently held against the fluifing blade 12 and the pressuremay be either constant or fluctuating.

In Figure 1 to 4, inclusive, the fluffing blade 12 is formed from a length of flat spring metal with its ends bent laterally in the same direction and twisted 90 at two spaced points 32, to form an upper spring arm 33 and a lower spring arm 34. Arm 33 is secured to the plate 25 of the supporting frame 10, and arm 34 is secured to the extension 23 at the lower end of said frame. The spring arms 33 and 34 will yield and thus limit the pressure with which roller 13 may be forced against the blade 12.

It is preferable to secure the arms 33 and 34 to the members 25 and 23 in the manner shown in Figure 4, that is, by forming each of these members 25 and 23 with a slot 35 and forming each arm with an offset terminal portion 36 to be conventionally engaged with said slot in the corresponding members 25 and 23.

In Figure 5, arcuate spring arms 33a and 34a are suitably, secured, as by welding or brazing, at 37 to the fluffing blade 12 and at 38 to the inner clamp leg 21.

In Figure 6, the blade 12 has laterally bent rigid carrying arms 33b and 34b suitably secured, as by Welding or brazing, at 39 to the plate 25 and the extension 23.

All forms of the invention are thus simple, inexpensive, and durable, and while preferences have been disclosed, it is of course possible to make variations within the spirit and scope of the invention as herein shown, described, and claimed.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being made as regards the article and combinations herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the.

following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim asmy invention:

1; A cleaning and flufiing device for the applicator roller of a roller type paint applicator, comprising a cleaning roller against which to press the applicator roller while both rollers are immersed in a paint solvent, supporting means upon which said cleaning rollerismounted,

said supporting means having applicator-engaging means to aid in hand holding of the applicator roller against said cleaning roller, flufiing means against which the applicator roller may be pressed while driven by said cleaning roller, and means mounting said fiufiing means on said supporting means in laterally spaced relation with said cleaning roller.

2. A structure as specified in claim 1, in which said fiufiing means comprises an elongated blade having upper and lower carrying. arms secured to said supporting means.

3. A structure as specified in claim 1, in which said fiuffing means comprisesran elongated blade having upper and lower carrying arms secured to said supporting means, said arms being formed from spring material.

4. A structure as specified in claim 1, in which said supporting means includes upper and lower bearings for said cleaning roller; said flufiing means comprising an elongated blade spaced laterally fromsaid cleaning roller and having upper and lower carrying armssecured to said supporting means for said bearings.

5. A structure as specified in claim 1, in which said supporting means includes upper and lower bearings for said cleaning roller; said fiuffing means comprising an elongated blade spaced laterally from said cleaning roller and having upper and lower carrying arms secured to said supporting means for said bearings, said arms being formed from spring material.

6. A structure as specified in claim 1, in which said supportingmeans includes upper and lower bearings for said cleaning roller; said fluifing means comprising an elongated blade spaced laterally from said cleaning roller and having upper and lower carrying arms-secured to said supporting means for' said bearings, said arms being rigid.

7. A cleaning device for the applicator roller of a roller type paint applicator, comprising a cleaning roller, and a supporting frame having an arched spring clamp to straddle a receptacle Wall, said supporting frame also having bearings for rotatably mounting said cleaning roller in a vertical position, said supporting frame also having an arm secured at one end to said clamp and curved to extend partially around the upper end of the receptacle, the free 'end of said arm having an upper and a lower slit, the metal between said slits being bent laterally outward, the metal above said upper slit and below saidlower slit being also bent laterally outward in spaced relation with the first mentioned bent portion, the three bent portions being adapted to engage a vertical part of the applicator frame.

8. A cleaning device for the applicator roller of a roller type paint applicator, comprising a cleaning roller, and a supporting frame having an arched spring clamp to straddle a receptacle wall, said supporting frame also having bearings for rotatably mounting said cleaning roller in a vertical position, the upper and lower portions, of said supporting frame adjacent said bearings having extending arms on the outer end of which is mounted a finding means which is spaced from and substantially parallel to said cleaning roller, and against which said applicator roller may be pressed for fluffing same, said supporting frame also having an arm secured at one end to said clamp and curved to extend partially around the upper end of the receptacle, the free end of said arm having laterally projecting means to releasably engage a vertical part of the applicator frame, said arm being provided near said free end with an inwardly projecting lug to rest upon the receptacle rim.

9. A oleaningdevice for the applicator roller of a roller type paint applicator, comprising a metal strap bent intoarched form to provide a one-piece arched clamp: to straddle a receptacle wall, the inner leg of said arched.

clamp having an obtuse angular portion extending, to-

ward the outer leg of said clamp, the lower end of. said inner leg having an integral extension projecting away from said arched clamp, a plate secured to the crown portion of said arched clamp and overlying said extension, a vertical cleaning roller rotatably mounted between said extension and said plate, and an arm secured at one end to the upper end of said outer leg, said arm being curved to extend partially around the upper end of the receptacle, the free end of said arm having means to releasably engage a vertical part of the applicator frame.

10. A cleaning device for the applicator roller of a roller type paint applicator, said cleaning device having a frame carrying both a cleaning means which is in the form of a vertically mounted roller with a rotator means on its upper end, said roller being adapted to be immersed with said applicator roller in a container of suitable cleaning solvent. and a flufiing means for the ap plicator roller, said fluffing means also being mounted on said frame in position substantially parallel to and spaced sidewise from said cleaning means roller and adapted to be immersed in said solvent in position to be contacted by and flulf said applicator roller, said applicator roller being removable from said cleaning device with out first removing said fiuffing means.

11. A cleaning device for the applicator roller of a roller type paint applicator, said cleaning device having both a cleaning means which is perforated and hollow and adapted to be immersed with said applicator roller in a suitable cleaning solvent. and a fluffing means for the applicator roller, said flufl'ing means being spaced from said cleaning means and ada ted to be immersed in said solvent, and wherein said flufling means comprises an elon ated bl de for lon itudinal contact with the periphery of the applicator roller, said blade being substantially parallel to said cleaning means and spaced from it so that said applicator roller may be cleaned and then brought up against said flufiing means to fluff the surface of said applicator roller while the latter is being rotated.

12. A cleaning device for the applicator roller of a roller ty e paint applicator, said cleaning device having both a cleaning means which is perforated and hollow and adapted to be immersed with said applicator roller in a suitable cleaning solvent, and a flufiing means for the applicator roller, said flufling means also being spaced from said cleaning means and adapted to be immersed in said solvent, and wherein said cleaning means comprises a rotatable cleaning roller which drives the applicator roller, by contact therewith, said fluffing means comprising an elongated blade having supporting arms at its ends, said arms mounting said elongated blade in position such that said applicator roller, during the cleaning of same, may be moved into position for longitudinal contact of said blade with the periphery of the applicator roller to fluff the latter.

13. A cleaning device for the applicator roller of a roller type paint applicator, said cleaning device having both a cleaning means which is perforated and hollow and adapted to be immersed with said applicator roller in a suitable cleaning solvent, and a fluffing means for the applicator roller, said fiufiing means also being spaced from said cleaning means and adapted to be immersed in said solvent, and wherein said cleaning means comprises a rotatable cleaning roller which drives the applicator roller, by contact therewith, said flufiing means comprising an elongated blade having supporting arms at its ends, said arms mounting said elongated blade in position such that said applicator roller, during the cleaning of same, may be moved into position for longitudinal contact of said blade with the periphery of the applicator roller to flufi the latter, said arms being formed of spring material.

14. A cleaning device for the applicator roller of a roller type paint applicator, said cleaning device having both a cleaning means which is perforated and hollow and adapted to be immersed with said applicator roller in a suitable cleaning solvent, and a flufiing means for the applicator roller, said fiufiing means also being spaced from said cleaning means and adapted to be immersed in said solvent, and wherein said cleaning means comprises a rotatable cleaning roller which drives the applicator roller, by contact therewith, said fiuffing means comprising an elongated blade having supporting arms at its ends, said arms mounting said elongated blade in position such that said applicator roller, during the cleaning of same, may be moved into position for longitudinal contact of said blade with the periphery of the applicator roller to fiufl. the latter, said arms being rigid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,542,205 Mort Feb. 20, 1951 2,773,274 Beech Dec. 11, 1956 2,819,483 Macaulay Jan. 14, 1958 2,895,154 Belcher July 21, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 314,053 Germany Aug. 6, 1919 

